Java family grateful for Farm Rescue

Group steps in to help after accident injures farmer

April 13, 2012|By Connie Sieh Groop Farm Forum Editor

A frayed sleeve has a fifth-generation Java farmer watching his crop being planted this spring instead of climbing behind the tractor wheel. Mike Hirsch, 38, was putting the safety cover back on the chains of his feed wagon on Dec. 20, when the frayed strings from his hoodie sleeve got pulled into the chain. His attempt to free his left hand resulted in the loss of the fingers of his right hand, ripping tendons. Taken to Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Mike underwent six surgeries in 17 days. He’s scheduled for another surgery at the end of April before being fitted with a prosthesis. “Farm Rescue is putting my crop in this spring, but I expect to harvest it this fall,” he said. He can use his thumb, which makes using the prothesis possible, he said. "I should be able to push the buttons (on the combine) by harvest time," he said. "When they first took the cast off, my hand looked like I had a boxing glove on. The swelling has gone down, and I’m anxious to get back to work.” Farm Rescue's help is a big relief, he said, especially since his dad, Roger, just got out of the hospital with his third hernia operation. “Dad always put the crop in," Hirsch said. "Farming is in my heart and my way of life. I’ve always taken pride in doing things myself. Having others put the crop in this year is something I had to give in to, and it’s sure dropped my blood pressure.” Dave Sette of Wisconsin acts as the team leader for this phase of the Farm Rescue's help. The crew started Sunday and finished with the wheat Wednesday noon. He’s excited to be part of the Farm Rescue project and to be able to help the families in need. The family pays for the seed, fertilizer and fuel for the machines. “Mike said 15 calves came Wednesday morning so it was a great time for us to come and help and let him get to working with the animals,” Dave said. Dave’s crew has now moved on to Driscoll, N.D., to help another family. “I look forward to helping out with Farm Rescue every year.” Dave said another crew will come in to plant 600 acres of soybeans in a few weeks. There is good subsoil moisture but a little rain would help the crop.

This year's plans The group's founder, Bill Gross of Jamestown, N.D., said the volunteer group plans to help out about 50 families this season. Help is provided to those who have experienced a major illness, injury or natural disaster. Farm Rescue will plant or harvest for a family. The group gets sponsorships from numerous businesses. Application for help for the Hirsch family began in January through North Central Farmers Elevator and some of the neighbors. Hirsch said his family has been blessed with help, especially in the small community of Java. A benefit helped raise funds to cover medical and travel expenses. Neighbors have pitched in to move hay and move cattle. A neighbor has been hired to help check the 450 cows that are in the midst of calving. Hirsch also has a custom feedlot with another 1,000 head of cattle. Hirsch said the support sustained him through the surgeries. He and his wife, Doria, have a 6-month-old son, Drake, and two sons from his previous marriage: Camden, 7, and Carson, 9. The older boys do all they can to help their dad, including opening fences, watching gates and giving hugs. Farm Rescue projects generally begin about May 1, but with the dry weather, seeding began Easter Sunday. Dan Pullum of Decatur, Ill., is a first-time volunteer and was excited to drive the 60-foot air seeder pulled by a tractor. He said crews are putting down 119 pounds of wheat seed per acre, and 25 pounds of fertilizer are being placed. He has volunteered with his church to help flood victims, but this is his first chance to help with farming. “I’ve always been a ‘wannabe’ farmer,” he said.

Strength Hirsch said he’s looked at the wreckage of the feed wagon where the accident happened. “I don’t know how I had the strength to do what I did,” he said. Doctors voiced their amazement at the strength he had to free himself and not get hurt any further. Skin was taken from Hirsch’s leg to cover the area destroyed by the accident. Support is overwhelming and many have reached out to help. Doria expressed relief and gratitude, especially to Hirsch's family for their help with the kids. Mike’s family includes parents Roger and Linda. Mike is the oldest of three children. His sister Melanie Anderson lives at Glenham. His brother Matt Hirsch lives at Mina. Doria said friends brought the kids over to Mayo and the family celebrated Mike’s birthday on Dec. 23 in the hospital plus Christmas and the New Year. “It could have been much worse,” she said. Of Farm Rescue, she said, “It’s really quite an organization that will come out and do this work,“ she said. “It’s hard for Mike to be on the receiving end. It was quite a relief to know that spring’s work is going to get done.” Although frustrated at times, Hirsch said he has a strong belief in God and believes that God knew he could handle the accident. It’s not like a fatal disease, he said. There are things to do to live with the hand and best of all, he can get back to farming. “I’ve always been very conscious of safety, and this is just (one) of those things that happens,” he said. Farm Rescue, a non-profit organization that assists family farmers that are currently experiencing an illness, injury or natural disaster. Rather than provide funds, we help these families by either planting or harvesting their crops free of charge so that they can maintain viable farming operations. We have volunteers that come from all over the country to run the equipment and help these farmers during their time of need. To date, we've assisted over 160 farm families in the North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and eastern Montana regions. www.farmrescue.org